Spurs 'insider' hints at £30m transfer swoop which would be Man City blow and Arsenal boost

The Ballon d'Or nominee and heartbeat of the Manchester City midfield won't play again this season after sustaining an ACL injury when playing the Gunners in September. Finding a replacement for the Spaniard in January is likely to be a priority and Italy international Ricci had emerged as an ideal candidate.

Should Spurs manage to hijack any Manchester City deal for the player, that would certainly hand a knock-on boost to Arsenal. Mikel Arteta's side no doubt hold a greater chance of catching Pep Guardiola's men this season should their rivals fail to fill the chasm left by that Rodri injury.

Spurs ‘certainly interested’ in Italy international

Football Insider spoke to ex Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson about the links, teasing that the former shot-stopper 'remains very well-connected at the club'. Robinson said: "I think it’ll be a tough one to do in the winter. If you look at the way the team’s played in recent weeks in more of a 4-3-3 formation, I’m not sure whether the midfield will be a pressing position.

“But he’s a young player, he’s only 23 years old and he’s already got four caps for Italy. Tottenham are certainly interested in signing him. I think it’ll be tough to do in the winter but that is potentially one they’ll explore in the summer.

“We know that Spurs like to do their business in Italy.They’ve had a lot of success from players who have come to the club from the Serie A, and maybe that’s why Ricci is the latest name to be mentioned. It’s still got the fingerprints of Fabio Paratici working with Tottenham’s recruitment team.”